Centa IP expands global reach with new CEO and client slate

The global licensing agency, Centa IP is looking at international expansion with a growing team and a slate of new clients on board.

The firm has welcomed Gail Mitchell to the role of CEO following the acquisition of her business, The Fusion Agency, in July last year. Mitchell will remain based in Sydney, Australia, where she will oversee the ANZ business and global team.

Val Fry has also joined the Centa IP team as the new VP of licensing, based in London. She will be responsible for the commercial exploitation of Centa’s key brands, as well as its growing portfolio of properties in the UK and EMEA.

Fry has vast experience with entertainment brands, including as director of licensing at Coolabi, Chapman Entertainment and Gullane Entertainment.

Rebekah Belzer will continue to manage the Americas and Vincent Jones will oversee the Asia-Pacific business.

Gail Mitchell said: “This is a very exciting time for Centa IP having picked up global representation for a number of fantastic new properties. We have an exceptional team who are looking forward to working with our brand partners in driving our businesses forward.”

Centa IP has also signed on to represent global licensing rights for a number of properties including Monster Teddies, Go Away, Unicorn, Watchdog, Nate is Late, and Kally’s Mashup.

Meanwhile, the Asia-Pacific office of Centa IP has picked up local representation for pocketwatch and in particular, Ryan’s Toy Review, the largest US YouTube Channel with 13 million subscribers and 19 billion lifetime views.

About Robert Hutchins

Robert Hutchins is the editor of Licensing.biz and ToyNews.
Hutchins has worked his way up from Staff Writer to the position of Editor across the two titles, having spent some six years with both ToyNews and Licensing.biz, and what now seems like a lifetime surrounded by toys.
You can contact him by emailing robert.hutchins@bizmedia.co.uk or calling him on 0203 143 8780
You can even follow him on Twitter @RobHutchins3 if ranting is your thing...